Cell with an Outer Layer of Intumescent Material
Granted: January 20, 2011
Application Number:
20110014514
A battery assembly is provided that includes a layer of intumescent material that coats the sidewall and bottom surface of the cell casing, excluding at least one case contact region.
COMMON MODE VOLTAGE ENUMERATION IN A BATTERY PACK
Granted: January 6, 2011
Application Number:
20110004438
An apparatus and method for these embodiments of the present invention, useful in manufacturing for example, includes a plurality of battery modules serially intercoupled together, each module including a housing with an anode connector and a cathode connector, each housing including a memory for storing a module identifier and wherein an anode connector of a first module is coupled to a cathode connector of a second module; and a processing system, coupled to each the module, for…
COMMON MODE VOLTAGE ENUMERATION IN A BATTERY PACK
Granted: January 6, 2011
Application Number:
20110003183
An apparatus and method for these embodiments of the present invention, useful in manufacturing for example, includes a plurality of battery modules serially intercoupled together, each module including a housing with an anode connector and a cathode connector, each housing including a memory for storing a module identifier and wherein an anode connector of a first module is coupled to a cathode connector of a second module; and a processing system, coupled to each the module, for…
Interface for vehicle function control via a touch screen
Granted: December 16, 2010
Application Number:
20100318266
A method and apparatus for controlling a particular vehicle function, for example the adjustment of a vehicle seat, using a graphical user interface (GUI) is provided. The GUI is activating by toggling a control, switch intuitively linked to the particular vehicle function. The control switch is separate from, and not proximate to, the GUI. When the GUI is activated by toggling the control switch, a control screen specific to the particular vehicle function is displayed on the GUI.
Integrated battery pressure relief and terminal isolation system
Granted: December 16, 2010
Application Number:
20100316894
A system for integrating the venting feature of a battery with a means for simultaneously disconnecting the cell from the battery pack, thereby isolating the cell, is provided. The provided battery interconnect system is comprised of a battery, a connector plate for electrically coupling the battery to a battery pack, and an interruptible electrical connector for electrically coupling the connector plate to a battery terminal vent. The vent, defined by scoring on the battery terminal,…
Battery thermal event detection system using a thermally interruptible electrical conductor
Granted: December 2, 2010
Application Number:
20100302051
A method and apparatus is provided for determining when a battery, or one or more batteries within a battery pack, undergoes an undesired thermal event such as thermal runaway. The system uses a conductive member mounted in close proximity to, or in contact with, an external surface of the battery or batteries to be monitored. A resistance measuring system such as a continuity-tester or an ohmmeter is coupled to the conductive member, the resistance measuring system outputting a first…
Battery pack enclosure with controlled thermal runaway release system
Granted: October 28, 2010
Application Number:
20100273034
A battery pack thermal management system is provided that is comprised of at least one enclosure failure port integrated into at least one wall of a battery pack enclosure, where the enclosure failure port(s) remains closed during normal operation of the battery pack, and opens during a battery pack thermal runaway event, thereby providing a flow path for hot gas generated during the thermal runaway event to be exhausted out of the battery pack enclosure in a controlled fashion.
AC MOTOR WINDING PATTERN
Granted: September 30, 2010
Application Number:
20100244612
A motor winding arrangement that is capable of delivering relatively flat torque over a wide range of speeds, thus achieving increasing power throughout its operating range, is provided. In a multi-phase, e.g., three-phase, motor utilizing the winding arrangement of the invention, each winding layer corresponds to one phase of the motor and occupies every slot of the stator. The poles for each winding layer are comprised of concentric and non-overlapping coils.
Dual Motor Drive and Control System for an Electric Vehicle
Granted: September 2, 2010
Application Number:
20100222953
A method and apparatus for optimizing the torque applied by each motor of a dual motor drive system of an all-electric vehicle is provided, the torque adjustments taking into account wheel slip as well as other vehicular operating conditions.
Battery pack temperature optimization control system
Granted: August 26, 2010
Application Number:
20100212338
A method and apparatus for limiting the adverse effects of temperature on the electrical energy storage system (ESS) of an electric vehicle after the vehicle has been turned off are provided. In general, whether or not coolant is circulated through a coolant loop coupled to the ESS depends on the difference between the ambient temperature and a preset temperature, the preset temperature typically corresponding to the temperature of the ESS.
Intelligent temperature control system for extending battery pack life
Granted: August 26, 2010
Application Number:
20100212339
A method and apparatus for actively cooling the battery pack of an electric vehicle after the vehicle has been turned off, thereby limiting the adverse effects of temperature on battery life, are provided. Different battery pack cooling techniques are provided, thus allowing the cooling technique used in a particular instance to be selected not only based on the thermal needs of the battery pack, but also on the thermal capacity and energy requirements of the selected approach.
System for optimizing battery pack cut-off voltage
Granted: July 29, 2010
Application Number:
20100188043
A method and apparatus that allows the end user to control the charging system, and in particular the battery pack charging level, of an all-electric or hybrid vehicle based on expected use is provided.
All wheel drive electric vehicle power assist drive system
Granted: July 29, 2010
Application Number:
20100187905
A method and apparatus for an all-electric vehicle using a primary drive system and a secondary drive system is provided. While the primary drive system utilizes a single electric motor, the secondary drive system utilizes a pair of electric motors. In one configuration, a single electrical energy storage system (ESS) is used to supply power to both drive systems. A DC/DC converter can be used so that the two drive systems can utilize different DC bus voltage ranges. In another…
All wheel drive electric vehicle power assist drive system
Granted: July 29, 2010
Application Number:
20100187024
A method and apparatus for an all-electric vehicle using a primary drive system and a secondary drive system is provided. The primary drive system and the secondary drive system each utilize a single electric motor. In one configuration, a single electrical energy storage system (ESS) is used to supply power to both drive systems. A DC/DC converter can be used so that the two drive systems can utilize different DC bus voltage ranges. In another configuration, each drive system is coupled…
INCREASED RESISTANCE TO THERMAL RUNAWAY THROUGH DIFFERENTIAL HEAT TRANSFER
Granted: June 17, 2010
Application Number:
20100151308
One embodiment includes a housing, a first battery cell having a first cell thermal capacitance, the first cell fixedly disposed in the housing, a second battery cell having a second cell thermal capacitance, the second cell fixedly disposed in the housing a minimum air gap away from the first cell, the minimum air gap having an air gap thermal resistance and a heat conductor disposed adjacent each of the cells, with the heat conductor having a heat conductor heat capacitance. A…
INDUCTION MOTOR WITH IMPROVED TORQUE DENSITY
Granted: June 10, 2010
Application Number:
20100141080
An induction motor embodiment includes a stator defining a stator bore, the stator including a stator yoke having a stator yoke thickness and a plurality of stator teeth, the teeth having a common length, with each of the stator teeth including a stator tooth center portion that extends from a stator tooth bottom portion proximal the yoke to a stator tooth tip portion, with adjacent stator teeth defining a stator slot between them, each stator slot having a stator slot bottom that…
All wheel drive electric vehicle power assist drive system
Granted: June 3, 2010
Application Number:
20100133023
A method and apparatus for an all-electric vehicle using a primary drive system and a secondary drive system is provided. While the primary drive system utilizes a single electric motor, the secondary drive system utilizes a pair of electric motors. A single electrical energy storage system (ESS) is used to supply power to both drive systems. A DC/DC converter can be used so that the two drive systems can utilize different DC bus voltage ranges.
Battery Charging Time Optimization System
Granted: June 3, 2010
Application Number:
20100134073
A system for optimizing battery pack charging is provided. In this system, during charging the coupling of auxiliary systems (e.g., battery cooling systems) to the external power source are delayed so that the battery pack charge rate may be optimized, limited only by the available power. Once surplus power is available, for example as the requirements of the charging system decrease, the auxiliary system or systems may be coupled to the external power source without degrading the…
Battery thermal event detection system using an optical fiber
Granted: June 3, 2010
Application Number:
20100135355
A method and apparatus is provided for determining when a battery, or one or more batteries within a battery pack, undergoes an undesired thermal event such as thermal runaway. The system uses an optical fiber mounted in close proximity to, or in contact with, an external surface of the battery or batteries to be monitored. A source of light is optically coupled to the input facet of the optical fiber and a detector optically coupled to the output facet of the optical fiber. Battery…
Battery thermal event detection system using an electrical conductor with a thermally interruptible insulator
Granted: June 3, 2010
Application Number:
20100136384
A method and apparatus is provided for determining when a battery, or one or more batteries within a battery pack, undergoes an undesired thermal event such as thermal runaway. The system uses an insulated conductive member mounted in close proximity to, or in contact with, an external surface of the battery or batteries to be monitored. A voltage measuring system is coupled to the conductive core of the insulated conductive member, the voltage measuring system outputting a first signal…
